Common name
Acan echinata
Scientific name
Acanthastrea echinata
Category
Coral
Group
Large-polyp stony corals
Environment
Marine reef aquarium
Origin
Widespread tropical Indo-Pacific reefs; not Atlantic
Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
Usually under 1 m across; aquarium colony growth is open-ended
Expected lifespan
Potentially decades under stable conditions; colony age is open-ended because living fragments can continue the same genet, so a fixed aquarium maximum is not defensible.
Minimum housing
At least 120 L with generous clearance from neighbouring corals
Temperature
24–27 °C
pH
8.0–8.4
Hardness / minerals
Alkalinity 7–11 dKH; calcium 380–450 mg/L; magnesium 1,250–1,400 mg/L
Salinity
33–36 ppt; specific gravity about 1.024–1.027
Lighting
About 50–150 PAR after gradual acclimation
Placement / zone
Lower to middle reef on stable rock
Filtration
Use mature reef biological filtration with skimming and removable mechanical capture. Maintain measurable balanced nutrients, prevent detritus lodging between polyps and size export for the growing colony and any supplemental feeding.
Aeration
Maintain strong whole-system gas exchange through surface movement, overflow and skimming while using broad indirect flow around the colony. Avoid direct tissue-blasting jets and stagnant pockets.
Maintenance
Check temperature, salinity and alkalinity frequently; trend calcium, magnesium, nitrate and phosphate; remove settled detritus; inspect tissue, skeleton, mount and neighbours after lights out; and expand clearance as the colony grows.

Identity and search names

Species-level profile for Acanthastrea echinata. Compare skeletal and tissue characters with A. subechinata, A. brevis and similar Favites rather than identifying by colour alone.

Search names: starry cup coral

Environment and housing

Secure lower or middle placement with broad flow, moderate light and clear space around the entire colony

Social structure: Sessile colonial coral

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Photosynthesis plus captured planktonic and small meaty foods

Feeding routine: Optional targeted feeding once or twice weekly if accepted

Breeding, reproduction or spread

Sexual spawning in nature; aquarium propagation by careful fragmentation of healthy colonies

Parental care: None

Detailed care and app-ready planning

Identity scope
Species-level profile for Acanthastrea echinata. Compare skeletal and tissue characters with A. subechinata, A. brevis and similar Favites rather than identifying by colour alone.
Adult size and space
Wild colonies are usually under 1 m across, but growth in aquaria is open-ended. Use at least 120 L and preserve 15–20 cm or more of aggression clearance.
Colony size and space
Wild colonies are usually under 1 m across, but growth in aquaria is open-ended. Use at least 120 L and preserve 15–20 cm or more of aggression clearance.
Social structure
Sessile colonial animal. The colony expands by polyp growth and must be managed as one growing territorial unit rather than as an isolated frag.
Aggression and spacing
Strong. Broad mesenterial filaments can damage neighbours. Check spacing after lights out and enlarge it as the colony grows.
Swimming zone or placement
Lower to middle reef on stable rock where tissue cannot rub against sharp edges.
Placement zone
Lower to middle reef on stable rock where tissue cannot rub against sharp edges.
Feeding ecology
Photosynthetic with the ability to capture small planktonic and meaty foods.
Feeding plan
Offer small food only when feeding tentacles or mouths respond, no more than once or twice weekly. Avoid food resting and decaying in the colony.
Water stability
Maintain 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–8.4, salinity 33–36 ppt, alkalinity 7–11 dKH, calcium 380–450 mg/L and magnesium 1,250–1,400 mg/L with minimal swing.
Habitat structure
Use stable rock, low to moderate broad flow and gradual acclimation to about 50–150 PAR. Prevent sediment accumulation.
Compatibility plan
Keep at least 15–20 cm from other corals and prevent tissue contact, direct flow blasting and shading.
Breeding or reproduction plan
Fragment only a healthy established colony with clean tools and recovery space. Keep fragments under the correct species identity.
Propagation plan
Fragment only a healthy established colony with clean tools and recovery space. Keep fragments under the correct species identity.
Quarantine
Inspect the skeleton, tissue folds and mount for hitchhikers, eggs, algae and tissue damage in a separate stable coral system.
Quarantine and pest inspection
Inspect the skeleton, tissue folds and mount for hitchhikers, eggs, algae and tissue damage in a separate stable coral system.
Welfare checks
Check tissue inflation, feeding response, colour, exposed skeleton, mesenterial damage, sediment and recession around colony margins.
Biosecurity and release
Use documented legal provenance. Verify BICON, Live Import List, CITES and state rules. Never release coral, fragments, pests or aquarium water.
Biosecurity, sourcing and release
Use documented legal provenance. Verify BICON, Live Import List, CITES and state rules. Never release coral, fragments, pests or aquarium water.
Main risk
Contact aggression and mistaken identity are the main risks.
Adult projected load
As colony surface area increases, calcification demand, night-time respiration, space use, detritus interception and optional feeding load all rise. Plan dosing, gas exchange, nutrient export and physical access for the mature colony rather than the purchased fragment.
Filtration
Use mature reef biological filtration with skimming and removable mechanical capture. Maintain measurable balanced nutrients, prevent detritus lodging between polyps and size export for the growing colony and any supplemental feeding.
Aeration
Maintain strong whole-system gas exchange through surface movement, overflow and skimming while using broad indirect flow around the colony. Avoid direct tissue-blasting jets and stagnant pockets.
Maintenance
Check temperature, salinity and alkalinity frequently; trend calcium, magnesium, nitrate and phosphate; remove settled detritus; inspect tissue, skeleton, mount and neighbours after lights out; and expand clearance as the colony grows.
Overridable warnings
Non-overridable: do not ignore progressive tissue recession, bleaching, exposed skeleton, pest evidence or direct coral contact. A knowledgeable user may use different light, flow, spacing or dosing methods only after gradual acclimation and documented stability show that the colony is not being damaged.

Compatibility, welfare and risk

Compatibility: Allow at least 15–20 cm from other corals and inspect after lights out

Welfare: Investigate recession, exposed septa, deflation, bleaching, trapped sediment or contact injury before moving or medicating the coral

Main warning: Misidentification with similar Acanthastrea or Favites and serious contact damage to neighbours

Biosecurity and release

Use legally sourced stock with traceable provenance. Check BICON, Live Import List and CITES requirements. Never release coral or aquarium water.

Sources